The party was a roaring success, just like the other parties hosted by Mrs Valeria. I honestly wasn't surprised by the way it seemed, I was used to stuff like this. I had grown up in this and I absolutely hated it.
The expectations. It all didn't make sense to me. The memory of my parents cornering me on the balcony, their relentless pressure about marriage, and carrying on the family's name In case something happened to me echoed in my head. Someone would think they were actually planning to harm me by the way they seemed hell-bent on getting me to settle down. "Ethan, you're not getting any younger," my mother's voice, was high-pitched as she spoke to me. "It's time you found a nice girl and started a family." "I'm not interested in getting married," I'd retorted, my gaze sweeping over the familiar nightlife of New York City. My father's booming voice joined the chorus. "Don't be ridiculous. You need to carry on the family name." I'd scoffed inwardly. The family name can carry on itself. They always expected something high from me and I was tired of it. I needed a way to escape from the world around me and in that moment of desperation, I'd made a call I now regretted. The knock on my hotel room door startled me from my silent brooding and I wondered if I could just ignore it but no, I needed this. I opened it, expecting to see the woman I'd paid for, a temporary distraction from the reality of my messed up life. But the woman standing there was not who I expected. She was petite, with long brown hair and big brown eyes. She was wearing a simple black dress that hugged her curves in all the right places. She looked...as if she was filled with false bravado. And nothing like the image I'd conjured in my mind. "You asked for me?" she slurred her voice a melodious tune that made me frown. Confusion washed over me. Had they sent the wrong girl? But then a flicker of something flashed in her eyes. "Oh," she giggled, "You're not him." Disappointment mingled with annoyance coursed through me. This was not what I needed. "Let me in," she mumbled, her body leaning heavily against the doorframe. I hesitated. This seemed wrong for some reason. She seemed inexperienced and I wondered why they had sent a newbie to my room. I wanted to send her back but I couldn't deny that she was extremely attractive and the memories from my parent's nagging and my inability to speak up came rushing back. I needed an outlet. I stepped aside, and she stumbled into the room. The moment the door closed behind her, she turned and pressed herself against me, her hands roaming over my chest. Her breath was hot against my neck, and the scent of spice and something sweeter clung to her. "You're so handsome," she breathed out, her voice husky. "You look almost yummy." Then she giggled. I stiffened. This was beyond unprofessional. "Look," I said, trying to gently push her away. "Are you alright?." I would so kick my assistant's ass the next morning for sending me someone who couldn't even get a single sentence out without giggling. She giggled again. "I don't know," she admitted. "But I know what I want." Her lips found mine, and I groaned inwardly. I knew I should stop this. "This isn't..." I began, but she cut me off with another kiss, her hands tangling in my hair. "Shh," she whispered against my lips. "Don't talk. Just kiss me." And I did. Her touch was intoxicating, her body soft and molded easily against me, her hands tangling in my hair. I groaned and my hands found their way to her neck, pulling her closer as I forced my tongue into her mouth. Fucking nirvana. "You're so different from the others," she murmured, her fingers tracing the lines of my face. "So cold, so distant. But I see the fire in your eyes." My eyes flashed with confusion. Was it that obvious? Did everyone see the turmoil beneath my facade that I tried to keep up? "You don't know me," I said, my voice rough. "I want to," she breathed, her eyes filled with pure lust as she breathed heavily. "I want to know all of you." I gave in, letting my desire fuel my actions. We moved to the bed, our clothes discarded in a frenzy. Her skin was warm and smooth beneath my hands, and her moans filled the room. It was fast and furious, just an outlet for me to let out the frustration. But even in the midst of it, a part of me felt detached, like I was doing something wrong. This was her job though, wasn't it? Why did I feel like I was doing so something wrong? This wasn't me. This wasn't how I wanted things to be. Afterward, she lay curled up beside me, her breathing slow and even as she dozed off. I stared at the ceiling, my mind a mess. What had I just done? I'd used her. Just like my parents were trying to use me. The thought made me gag and I hated myself instantly. I got out of bed and went to the bathroom. I splashed cold water on my face, trying to wash away the guilt and confusion I felt, my blue eyes shining in the dim light of the spacious bathroom while my hands gripped the spotless sink as I turned on the faucet. When I returned to the bedroom, she was still lying there. I wanted to wake her up and send her out but I couldn't so I left her. She could stay the night. I didn't mind. I went to the window and looked out at the city lights. The party was still going strong, I knew that much but I didn't want to be a part of it. I had come to my room and asked for a prostitute to help me get over my anger but now I was feeling more empty. I'd made a mistake. A big one. This wasn't my first time hiring women but this time… I felt empty.My head felt like it was splitting in two. I groaned, rolling over and burying my face in the pillow. What the hell happened last night? I didn't drink anything so why did it feel like I was having a hangover?Slowly, the memories trickled back, hazy and blurry but they gave me enough detail. The party, the champagne that Ronan had given me, the handsome stranger… The handsome stranger? My eyes snapped open, and I bolted upright in bed.That was enough to throw me into a panic. What was I even doing on a bed? And where the fuck was I?. I was in a luxurious hotel room, the kind that screamed 'expensive' from every corner. Sunlight streamed through the plush black curtains, casting a soft glow on the plush furniture and king-size bed. It all seemed familiar.I knew where this was. I knew my own handiwork. Then it hit me, I was in one of the hotel rooms that I had prepared for the guests last night.And then, the most horrifying realization hit me. I was naked.I felt sick to my stomach
The clock ticked slowly towards 7 pm, the official start time of the TerraNova Holdings party. I was pacing about my small office, biting on my nails, something I did when I was agitated about something and nervous. Despite the events of the previous night, I'd managed to pull myself together and put on my 'event planner at your service' attitude. My team had done a fantastic job transforming the TerraNova event space into a space that looked something straight out of an exquisite party, complete with sparkling lights, and a variety of flowers and I had made sure to confirm that no one had an allergy to anything, and a mouthwatering buffet.But no matter how much I tried to focus on the task at hand, my mind kept wandering back to him. The stranger from the hotel room. The man whose name I didn't even know.I'd been extra cautious tonight, sticking to water and keeping a watchful eye on my glass. I wasn't going to let myself be taken advantage of again.As the guests began to arriv
What was the first thing that I was supposed to feel, say, or think? Well, I wasn't sure because I had never been in such an embarrassing position in my life. The memories of the previous night came rushing back again and I felt sick instantly.I stood frozen in the doorway, my gaze locked with Ethan Warner's. The man from last night. The CEO of TerraNova Holdings. The man I'd just spent the most mortifying yet exhilarating night of my life with.A million thoughts raced through my mind, each one more absurd than the last. Should I apologize? Should I run? Should I pretend I didn't recognize him? No, that would be stupid because definitely recognized me judging by the look of disbelief in his eyes as he stared at me. This wasn't just my dignity on the line! It was also my goddamn job! What if he said he didn't want to work with me? Fuck, I needed the money fast.Ethan broke the silence, his voice a cool, detached baritone. "Ms. Thompson, I presume?" He asked as though he hadn't heard
ALEXANDRA'S POV “You're back, I was beginning to think that you had gotten lost in this labyrinth of a building” Sarah exclaimed, her eyes looking worried.I forced a smile at her and hid the ring on my finger by folding my hands together. “There was a slight hitch in the payment plan so I was going over it with him,” I said nonchalantly, sweeping my gaze over the dinner.“How's things here?” I asked with a soft sigh.She looked back at the employees and she smiled. “Successful as usual”Great, at least that was working out fine.“So how much longer until we have to leave?” I asked her She checked the glittering wristwatch on her hand and smiled. “An hour”“Shit. Get Tom and Paige to make sure the drinks are still available and make sure the line chefs are still doing their job behind.” I said, collapsing into the nearest seat by the side of the hall.“On it” Then she was off leaving me to my thoughts.Fuck, what was I doing?I was usually very conservative and shy but now, I didn't
ALEXANDRA'S POVMy phone buzzed. Once. Twice.What the hell was it this time?I groaned and rolled over in bed, my eyes lids heavy.One thing I hated most was people disturbing my sleep after a night of work.Groaning, I reached over to my bedside table and I grabbed my phone, struggling to focus my eyes on the bright screen.Missed calls. Lots of them and messages too.What? What happened? Did I win the lottery or something?I decided to check my missed calls. Sarah, Ethan, and Piper.My eyes widened. Piper?! Why had she called? She was out on a business trip with her boss, wasn't she? She never called during those times so whatever she called about had to be fucking important.I quickly opened her messages first.“Girl, you better call me before I lose my mind” followed by an angry face emoji.I smiled at that. This was probably just one of her shenanigans to get me riled up so I quickly dialed her number.After just a ring, she picked up the phone call.“Were you expecting my call?
“It's a massive success” Mrs Valeria namely the queen of this town and the proud CEO of the largest bar and hotel in the country was saying over the classical music in the background, her poise proud and snobbish. Oh right, and she was also the one who had given me the contract to prepare this party tonight. I stood beside her, looking smaller compared to her taller frame. “I'm glad to be the one to whom you entrusted this,” I said, bowing slightly as a sign of respect She didn't pay any heed to me, her hand wrapped around the wine glass and her smoky eyes surveying around her guests. “I sent the cheque already… oh Mr. Harry, such a pleasure to see you…” she exclaimed and she was gone. Sighing, I straightened up and looked around the venue. It was filled with people, the rich kind, the type who threw money about. This was the kind of parties where only the most successful businessmen and women attended. The only reason why I was here was because I was the event planner who got